Mom said as she lugged the carrier up the stairs of their brownstone building. “She’s a full-grown cat,” Mia said. “Aren’t you, Duchess?” Mia could see the cat’s pretty face through the grate at one end of the big plastic carrier. Her velvety ears were pinned back. “We’re almost there,” Mia reassured her. Mom handed Mia the keys so she could unlock the front door. “We’re back!” she called down the hall. Nonna Kate popped her head out of the apartment door. “We’ve been waiting,” she said. “Nonna Kate’s been waiting,” Michael said when Mom and Mia walked inside. “I was doing math.” “Good for you,” Mom said. “Oh, just look at her!” exclaimed Nonna Kate. She bent down to get a closer look. “She is a duchess, isn’t she? Absolute royalty.” When Nonna Kate held out her hand, Duchess gave it a long sniff. Very good. This person knows royalty when she sees it. And I like her kind voice. Mom placed the carrier on the floor in the middle of the family room.
